The New York Herald Newspaper, December 23, 1878, Page 3

, WASHINGTON. How to Extend Our Trade With South America. SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR MINISTERS. Important Changes in the Tariff Recommended, MR. BLAINE'S SPEECH DISSECTED. —_-——_ Small Basis for a Sectional Agitation. APPLICANTS FOR THE BERLIN MISSION. ——— ROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasurnaron, Dec. 22, 1878. (UE TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA—IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN THAT SECTION. Annexed to the recent special Message of the Presi- dent on the commerce of and with South American States are a number of communications from consuls snd agents whicn present information of great inter- est and value to American merchants. It is the gen- eral complaint of the writers that the United States have no steamer lines running to South American ports, while the principal European nations have a surprisingly large ficet of steamers. ‘The facts stated are important, and they would be even more so were it not that Mr. Fralich, of Philadelphia, who appears to have collected most of the testimony on the subject, has evidently done so with the pur- pose mainly of helping the ocean subsidy schemes, and his arguments are therefore in the na- ture of a special plea for these schemes. Neverthe- less, the facts he presents are valuable; but they show that we need, above all, a better and more moderate scale of customs duties to enable us to secure tho trade of the South American countries and that to continue to close our ports against their products and merely establish steamer lines would be of little ornouse, The South Americans, like »all other na- tions, must sell in order to be able to buy, and Amer- ican steamer lines will be useless and unprofitable until the gentlemen who now move for subsidies allow the tariff to be so modified and liberalized as to permit South American products to enter our markets ‘with reasonable profit to the producers. LETTER OF MINISTER OSBORNE. Mr. Osborne, Minister at Buenos Ayres, writes in January of the present year:— At present no steam vessels arrive at the port of Buenos Ayres direct from any part of the United States, and no vessels of that class leave this port or the River La Plata direct for any port in the United Btates, except an occasional vessel of a single line, carrying the English flag, and that at irregular riods, and which returns to this port by way of Eu- Yope; hence this uncertain means of communication can do little or nothing in the way of fostering or n- I the trade between the River La Plata and the Un ‘States. On the other hand, direct and rapid com- tMmunication is at present and has been for a long time maintained between the Argentine States and Europe by some cleven different lines of steamships, of which five are British, four are French, two German and one Italian; and these steamships carry passen- gers, not only those whose destination is Europe, but those who desire to go to the United States, and also articles of commerce for the latter which are required to be delivered as promptly as possible on orders. But he goes on to point out that our heavy tariff on wool has given our commerce with Buenos Ayres to more liberal countries, who now sell what we used to export thither. Hc say: Previous to our civil war—1861—and when the anties, es: Ny on wool, the chief staple of this portion of South America, imposed by the United States ‘were nearly on an equality with those of other com- mercial nations, our commerce with this port was double what it is at present. The duties on Argen- tine wool have diverted an important trade from the United States into the hands of the English, French and Italians, who receive Argentine wool free of duty, and who, with their fleets of steamers, main- tain almost daily communication with this country. Since the Ist of January last to this date 1% steamers lave arrived at the port of Bucnos Ayres belonging to the above named nationalities. All these steamers departed for their respective destinations with full catgoes. The total exports of wool trom the port of Buenos Ayres from October, 1876, to October, 1877, were 212,400 bales, of which 209,776 bales went to Europe and only 2,600 bales were exported to the United States. And here is the result, in loss to our manufacturers and laborers of this prohibition tariff: ~ With the exception of lumber, kerosene, tobacco and some agricultural implements, and a few other specalties, which are strictly of American growth or manufacture, and cannot be obtained elsewhere, little or nothing is imported thence. 1 am informed that from the United States thousands of tons of cheese, butter, beef and pork ars annually exported to England, and none to the River La Pl: never- theless all these articles are received here from Eng- land, and, although of American origin, are sold us English products, Morcover, American cotton goods of every description. and deservedly famed for their excellent quality and low cost, are, notwithstanding these advantages, rarely or never seen in this market, while of English manufactures of similar styles, pom: quantities are imported and mect with ready profitable sales. So, too, retined sugar and Caro- lina rice were formerly among the principal imports ;to this country from the United States; now the chief supplies of sugar are drawn from France, Ger- smany Holland, while most of the rice is received -from Italy. STATEMENT OF MINISTER HILLIARD. Minister Hilliard notes from Rio Janeiro :— It is a remarkable fact that while the United States take so large a proportion of the coffee of Brazil, the reat bulk of the trade ot this country is controlled Ey England, We furnish the money which the peo- le of thls country use in purchasing their supplies Hom other countsies, and much the larger propor: tion is imported trom England. Some of our oducts are actually sent from the United States to Englané , sold there and then reshipped to the ports of il in the steamships of Great Britain, where [they are sold in the market at agreat advance upon ‘the original prices. Minister Osborne writes from Santiago, Child — The commerce of this country has been almost Aotally absorbed by Enropeans, and the people are comparatively ignorant of the advantages which they would derive from adirect trade with the United States. To present the facts before them and have them understand that very many of the articles which they consume are manufactured in the United States and are transported 2,500 miles to Europe, and thence nearly ten thousand miles from there to this country, should, it seems to me, be the work of our overnment. The importers of Chili are nearly all foreigners and aro confined principally to the English and Germ: They have their home connections, and it can rdly be expected, therefore, that they should encourage the building up of a competing commerce. American dealers in Chili aro exceedingly scarce, and such trade as we hav © is absolutely forced upon the European merchants by reason of the demand for our goods. The attention of the public is being directed to the superiority of our Manitfactures and the desire for an improvemént in our commercial relations is becoming quite general; but, if our business men would reap the fuil bencfit of this, they must establish commercial houses here and place their goods here in competition with the importations from Europe. COMMERCE OF COLOMBIA. Minister Dichman writes from Bogota: In many respects the commerce of this country offers a vory inviting field to the American merchant or manufacturer. Owing to the condition of the climate a competition in the way of manufactured goods ueed never be apprehended. The country re- quires everything manufactured in the United States, and can offer in exchange a varicty of tropical pro- ductions which we need, American goods, notably dry oods and hardware, have already gained quite a foot- Arora for themselves in the market of Colombia, tho superior excellence of the goods, at the same prices ‘as the foreign article, being readily conceded; while the trade in supplying the coast States—in fact the entire Valley—with flour, soap, vegetables, and candles, has assumed no incon: siderable dimensions. Among the chief difficulties in the way of commerce of the United ‘States are the well-established connections with Eu- «rope and the habit of trading there; also the want of , knowledge on the part of our exporters in selecting, preparing and packing goods for this market, The «people in this country are used to certain patterns, . sizes and quantities in piece goods, In order to place the United States in a position of advantage in regard to the trade of this country lam now having pre red at the Treasury Department of Colombia sta- Fintien ‘of imports aid exports applying to certain articles, looking to @ proposition onthe part of the Colombian government to be made to the govern- ment of the United States to reduce materially the qauty on American dry goods and beer, in exchange { fox arumingion of the duties, in theUaited states.on NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1 Colombian tobacco. Dry goods are the leading arti- cles of commerce with this country, and if an arrange- ment can be made by which the Colombian merchants will buy their dry goods in the American markets all their other trade will naturally follow, Later he writes of an actual proposition from the Colombian government which should attract the at- tention of our manufacturers. He says:— Enclosed is a letter addressed to me by the Hon. Salvador Camacho Roldan, Secretary of Foreign Re- lations, on the subject of a reduction of the duty on Colombian tobaeco in the United States in exchange for the free admission of American beer, and a reduc- tion of twenty-five per cent of the duty on American dry goods imported into this country. As far as the trade with this country is conematine importance of the proposition cannot be overestimated. As Dr. Camacho points out dry goods form the balk of the importations into this country, and I am satisfied that, as they would all have to be bonght in the United States under a reduction of twenty-five per cent in duty, all the other trade would follow. Nor would the free adinission of American beer form an inconsiderable item, for beer of all kinds i* kept out now by the prohibitive duty, wud the tree admission of Awerican beer would cause a large trade in that article. Of course I am not in a position to state how much the duty on Colombian tobacco can be reduced; but I am satia- fied that the amount of tobacco which would be im- orted into the United States would be inconsidera- le, But if we can have American dry goods admitted with a reduction of duty of twonty-Ave per cent everything which this country will buy will have to come trom the United States. Situated as Iam here 1 can clearly see the time coming when everything worthy of the name of commerce will be transacted with or through the United States; when the rai roads, bridges and other public improvements, in this country will be made by our people, and when all the advantages resulting from an exchange of com- modities will acerne to our people. COMPLAINT OF THE PERUVIAN. Mr. Gibbs writes from Lima, in Peru, another com- plaint of the destructive effect of our tariff on our commerce. He says:— Whenever American manufactures have been brought in contact with European products they have been preferred—dyewoods and furniture prin- cipally, with some hardware—there being no doubt of their superiority; but the trade is hela back, for returns cannot be sent to the United States onaccount of the tariff. One of the principal sugar planters said that, from experience, he had tound the machinery from the United States to be superior to that of Europe, and he added:—“I must get my wants sup- pis to make my sugar from the country that buys rom me,”’ He shows that the Pernvian government would be glad to make a commercial treaty with ours, and con- tinnes:— On the 14th instant the President, through an aide- de-camp, informed me that he wished to have an in- terview with me. I called at the government house and met the President. His Excellency referred to various conversations that we had held on the man- ner of extending and improving commercail relations between the two countries, and desired to know if there was any manner of making a reciprocal treaty for one or two important products of both repub- Nes—wheat and barley from the United States and sugar from Peru—by the free introduction of these articles and a reduction by the United States on Pe- ruvian sugars. The Pfesident stated that he person- ally and the country were very desirous of doing everything possible to increase the volume of trade to and from the United States. POLITICAL POWER OF THE SOUTH—WHAT HAS BEEN GAINED BY NEGRO ENFRANCHISEMENT-— THE CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL POSITION OF SOUTH CAROLINA ACCOUNTED FOR. Senator Butler, of South Carolina, in conversation yesterday concerning the recent debate on the Blaine resolution, remarked : — I would like to 1 the Henap’s attention to the inaccuracy of the statement as to the unjust increase and predominance of political sower of the South. It has been affirmed that “thirty-*ve of these represen- tatives were assigned to the Southern States by reason of he colored population,” under the late constitu- tional amendments. But three-fifths of the “colored population of the Southern States” have been repre- sented in this government almost from its foundation. Whether that representation was right or wrong. fair or unfair, just or unjust to the other sections of the Union, we need not now consider. It is an important fact in this discussion, which has been adroitly kept out of view in the effort to create a “‘solid North,” ‘The census of 1870 places the colored population. in the South at 4,485,478; three-fifths of that number would be 2,691,: hich were entitled to representa- tion under the old constitution; so that 1,794,193 would be the increase made by the enfranchisement of the negroes under the late amendments to the con- stitution. ‘This number, reduced by the then apportionment, would give us only thirteen representatives, as repre- senting the increased political power of the South, inst of thirty-five, a considerable whittling down of the published statement. In the year 1800 the late slaveholding States con- tributed to the Electoral College 120 members. In 1870 the samo States had in the Hectoral College 138 members. Deducttwo Yur the Senstors from West Virginia and yon have 136, 16 more than in 1860, But if your turn to the State of Missouri alone you find that the white population increased in the decade between 1860 and 1870 538,793, while the col- ored population decreased 432, This increase of the white population will account for the difference of three in my former estimate and shows the increase by reason of the enfranchisement of the colored population to be 13 instead of 35, THE CHANGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Furthermore, the gentlemen who wish for a new sectional agitation profess to be astonished at the great change in the party vote in South Carolina. But Northern men ought to remember that in our State the republican administration was overthrown in 1876; the democrats had been in power for eighteen months, and in that time they had made vitally important reforms, of which a single example will give you an idea, The total legislative expenses under the corrupt and wasteful republican ad- ministration were in 1870-1, in round numbers, $822,000; in 1871-2, $1,533,000; in 1872-3, $908,000; in 1873-4, $924,000, and in 1877, under the democratic ad- ministration, they were at once reduced to $84,096, Not only this, but the le, relieved of robbery and taxation, were satisfied, white as well as black. The negroes are secure in ail their rights, They have re- turned to industry from the unceasing political ex- citement and are comfortable, A letter which I show you from the Superintendent of Instruction shows that the attendance of colored children at the public schools in the State has in- creased under the democratic administration nearly thirteen thousand over the attendance under the re- publican administration. Nor was this all. The republicans had no State ticket in the field; they were disorganized; the colored men, who must be allowed by Northern men to have some sense, saw the great improvement in local administration; and besides this they were dissatisfied with the republi- can candidates for some peculiar reasons. For in- stance, in the case of Rainey, running for Congress— he is a man of color, who is disliked by his people, because, as they say, ho really lives in Connecticut aud keeps his family there, away from association with the people whom he expects to vote for him, CHANGES IN NORTHERN XTATE: All these causes combined are surely sw account for a political change whic greater than has happened in many Northern States, uor more sudden, as these instances which I will give ‘on will show :—In 1X72 Massachusetts gave a repub- ican majority of 74,274, but two years after a demo- cratic majority of 7,0%2—a change of 41,306 votes. Ohio went republican in 1872 by 37,531 and demo- cratic in 1874 by 17,202—a change of 54,738 votes. New York went republican in 1872 by 55,451 and dem- ocratic in 1874 by 60,317—a change of 105,768 votes, Pennsylvania gave in 1872 137,745 republican major- ity and two ycars after 4,679 democratic—a change of 142,427 votes, Indiana went. republican in 1872 by 22,507 and democratic in 1*74 by 17,252—~a cha ot 39,759. And yet in not one of these States had the voters @ tittle of the reasons for the great change in opinion which notoriously exist in South Carolina. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. . Wasttxctox, Doc, 22, 1878. THE VACANT BERLIN MUISSION—ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION, It is understood that the administration is in no haste to fill the vacancy in the Berlin Mission, and in reply to inquiries at the State Department the only information vouchsafed is that it is not a sub- ject for discussion until after the faneral of the late Minister. In addition to the names already mentioned in connection with the appointment—namely, those of Mr. E. b. Washburne, Mr. Wayne McVeagh and Mr. George William Curtis, that of Governor Hartranft will be strongly urged by a delegation of Pennsylvania politicians who are here for that purpose, It is believed that ex-Secretary Zach Chandler is trying to foster the interests of Senator Christiancy. Mr. Eugene Hale, of Maine, is named as asuitable candidate, but it is said that he has aspirations for Senator Hamlin's seat in the Senate and would not go abroad. In this connection it is also suid that there is a probability of the transfer of Mr. John A. Kasson from Vienna to Berlin, in which event a vacancy would exist in the Austrian Mission. As the Berlin Mission ranks some- what higher than that to Austria, and as Mr. Kasson is known to be a favorite at the State Department, it may be that the President will avail himself of the opportunity of carrying out his civil service views, Ex-Senator Ramsey, of Minnesota, it is understood, would not decline the position if it were tendered him. He is said to be a good German scholar, THE JOHN I, DAVENPORT INVESTIGATION, The sub-committee of the House Judiciary Com- mitteo, appointed to visit New York and investigate the conduct of Commissioner Davenport, under the resolution offered by Mr. Wood, will not begin its work until after the recess. The committee consists of Mossre. Hartridge, of Georgia, Lynde, of Wiscon- Pomocrats, and Mr, Frye, of Maine, republican, Mr. Hartridge was ready to proceed with the work at once, but the other members of the committee were not anxious to spend the holidays in New York, and for that reason the investigation is postponed until some time in January. DANGER TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS IN LOUISIANA— ‘THE ADMINISTRATION'S CAUSE OF COMPLAINT. It is not unlikely that the dissatisfaction on the part of the administration with the conduct of the federal officials in Louisiana will result in a change of some of the incumbents of the leading offices in that State. The complaint, originating with New Orleans merchants, is not that the officials did not exercise their authority, bunt that they did not act wisely in the use of their influence during the campaign. This complaint lies against Collector Smith, of New Orleans, and United States Marshal Wharton more particularly. It is believed that the friendship of these men for certain candidates for Congress on the republican ticket resulted in the election of the democratic nominees, whereas if they had not meddled in the nominations one and perhaps two republican nominees would have been elected. For instance, in the case of Mr. Acklen, it is charged that Messrs. Smith, Wharton and Marks went out of their way and stepped beyond their line of duty in taking part so far in the campaign as to indorse the certificate of that gentleman's good character. There were two candidates on the repub- lican ticket in opposition to Mr. Acklen—a tobacco inspector in the New Orleans Custom House, named Hebert, and a rival put forward, it is alleged, in the interest of ex-Congressman Darrell and supported by the Collector of Internal Revenue, Morris Marks. ‘The scheme of Darrall was to keep the two republican candidates in the field until near election day and then have them withdraw in his favor. In short, the manipulation of the machinery of the Congressional election was so evidently controlled and directed by the Louisiana federal officials that the President cannot avoid taking notice of their disobedience of his civil service order. Deputy Collector Anderson is here to protect the interests of Collector Smith, and has had several interviews with the President. Ex-Governor Hahn and Senator Kellogg are also working to save the accused officials. No removals are likely to be made until after New Year's. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasurxaton, Dec, 22, 1878. MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF MONEY DRAWN FOR THE WASHINGTON POST OFFICE—STATE- MENT OF THE FINANCIAL CLERK WHO CASHED THE DRAYT—LOST OR STOLEN? The city Post Office authorities are actively en- gaged in the endeavor to discover the whereabouts of between $10,000 and $11,000 drawn from the Treas- ury yesterday by William J. Brown, the financial clerk of the city Post Office, and according to the report of that officer, lost by him in one of the closets of the Treasury Building. Detectives are busy searching for a clew that will lead to the recovery of the money. Brown is not under arrest, but remains, at his home in this city in an anxious and excited condition. Some of his friends believe his story, or think that he had the money stolen from him, and Postmaster Edmunds cannot be brought to believe that there has been an embezzlement. Thus far no arrests have been made. Brown has been employed in the Post Office De- partment for thirteen years in the accounting divis- ion of the office and has been held in very high re- gard by his official associates. His wife, who reported to the Postmaster yesterday that he had lost the money, was very much excited. She told Postmaster Edmunds that her husband had drawn the funds and lost them, and wanted the Postmaster to come to her house immediately. The Postmaster, accompanied by Assistant Postmaster Tullock and a detective, went to Brown's house and closely questioned him, but obtained no clew to solution of the mystery. Brown afterward returned to the ‘Treasury in company with the detective, and the two went over the same ground that Brown cov- ered after he drew the money. While at the house Post- master Edmunds ingtired of Brown why he did not report the loss of the money to the Post Office authorities immediately after its discovery, and Brown gaveas his reason for this strange conduct that he was so excited and shocked when he found that the money was gone as to scarcely know where he was going. Upon reaching home he immediately despatched his wife to inform the office of his mis- fortune, and then became so prostrated that he went to bed. Brown drew the money for the purpose of paying off the clerks in the city Poat Office. His delay in returning made the employés very uneasy, but when Mr. Edmunds had investigated the affair he obtained the money and paid the salaries of the clerks at a late hour in the evening. GRANT IN 1880, VIEWS OF A STALWART REPUBLICAN—ALL THE ANTI-GRANT MEN DEAD—A GLANCE AT THE CONVENTION—BLAINE OUT OF THE WAY AND A SURE THING. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERATD.] Crxctnnatt, Dec. 22, 1878. Your correspondent tried to interview a prominent stalwart republican here to-night about the Phila delphia despatch, in Friday's Henavp, stating that Blaine as well as Conkling had withdrawn from the Presidential race in favor of General Grant. The gentleman in question refused positively to allow himself to be interviewed, but, on condition that his name should not be published, he conversed freely on the subject, which evidently interested him, He said: “Grant is a sure thing—you bet. Just look at the thing. The Northwest is crazy forhim. He is the only candidate who can certainly carry Ohio in 1880, John Sherman? Yes, John wants it, and the fact is he is the only real opponent Grant has; but he can't fetch. It’s no use. We're bound to carry the next election, or else we'll go into a@ minority for twenty years, and that’s the reason we mean to have Grant. WHO WILL orposk ? “And who is going to oppose him in the party, Td like to know? Just look at the thing. All the half independent and anti-Grant editors are out of the Bowles, of the Springfield Republican, is |, and thero’s nobody left in New England stir up an. effective in the party there. Greeley’s dead, and New York Tribune will wheel into line ax obedien a dog to hix master, White is out of the Chicago Tribune aud Medill will inake haste to swing round for Grant to save his circulation. As for Halstead here, he’s got Just as muchas he wants to do to main- tain his yround against the Gazette and the Enquirer, and he won't «qteak very loud when the time comes, LOOK AT THE CONVENTION, “where's the anti-Grant thunder to come from, I'd like to know? Then look at the Convention. ‘The anti<irant sentiment the Southern delegates will go solid for Grant, and what docs he need besides? Count it up ‘our fingers. If he has New York faine he'll have a majority of the Convention, and he can count, besides, on Pennsylvania, which the Camerons will give him, on New Jersey, which Robeson will give him, Diinois, which Jack Logan will carry for him, and ho’ll sweep the board, as you'll seo, Ze. ABOUT BLAINE, “Do Tbelieve that Blaine has backed off the track? Yes, 1 do. Jim Blaine’s a young man yet, and he's got heaps of sense. He sees very well that if it isn’t Grant Conkling would at any rate defeat Blaine, no matter who might get it. Blaine can wait. Why, he's not fifty yot, and his chance is to come, Yes, sir, you bet; that ‘story's trne as Gospel. Jim Blaine didn’t need to look long at the situation to see that his little game was to give notice that he is not in Grant's way.” ‘This was the end of the conversation. A PROMINENT CITIZEN DROWNED. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Nonrork, Va., Dec, 22, 1878, J. J. Stoll, a well known] merchant and prominent citizen of Norfolk county, fell in the Dismal Swamp canal at Deep Creek last night, and was drowned be- fore assistance could reach him. A FISSURE IN THE BLUE RIDGE, (PY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Ricumonp, Va., Dec, 22, 1878. It is variously reported here and published in the local press that an immense fissure has been discov- ered in the Bine Ridge Mountains, extending from the middle fork of the Rapidan River to the Shenan- doah, a distance of twelve or fourteen miles. It is said that the cleft in the mountsin is quite wide and 80 og? that cattle have fallen into the opening and ‘Ses lown to depths in the bowels of STARTLING ROBBERY. A New York Lady’s Experience in a Boston Hotel. ee SHADOWED BY A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. Her Room Entered and Her Trunk Rifled. TERRIBLE STRUGGLE WITH THE ROBBER. Police in Active Pursuit of the Perpetrator. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Boston, Dec. 22, 1878. One of the most daring and mysterious robberies that has been perpetrated in this city for some years recently occurred, a New York lady being the victim. The details of the story have been kept secret at the Tremont House, where the outrage was committed, until last night, when one of the detectives and a professional gentleman made the matter public. STORY OF THE ROBBERY. As itis related the story shows that on Thursday afternoon, December 12, a lady residing on Eleventh street, New York, arrived over the Boston and Albany Railroad at the depot of that corporation in this city. It is stated that she had been passing a few days with friends in the vicinity of Boston and that she came to town to attend to some business, Be that as it may, she was met on her arrival at the station by a gentleman acquaintance who paid over to her $150, half of a sum in which he was indebted to her. At the réquest of the party who gave her the money the lady counted the same in his presence, retiring with him for the purpose to one of the waiting rooms of the building. A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. While engaged in running over the bills, which were mostly fives, tens and twenties, she noticed that she was observed by a fine looking, well dressed and well appearing man, who stood in her immediate yicinity. Upon perceiving that he had attracted her attention the gentleman referred to withdrew his gaze in an unconcerned manner. She left the depot soon after and started toward Washington street on foot, but changed her mind and went back to get a carriage in which to ride to the Tremont House. As she retraced her steps she met this same man who had eyed her in the depot, who threw a quick glance }ather. She paid but little attention to the matter, and proceeded to the hotel, where she was assigned a comfortable room. Soon after she reached her room she bethought her of something she had forgotten to purchase, and she immediately went to a store just opposite the hotel, when she was surprised to see the same gentleman in front of the store. She became alarmed at the appearance of the man and re- turned to her room, where she spent the rest of the afternoon. In the evening she accompanied a gentle- man friend from New York, who was stopping at the Parker Honse, to the Boston Theatre to witness a performance of “‘The Exiles.” There she again en- countered the mysterious stranger. This time he stared at her untisguisedly, using an opera glass for the purpose. His attention was so marked that she called the attention of her escort to him, at the same time briefly relating the circumstances of the afternoon when the annoyance ceased. Follow- ing the play the lady and her companion returned to the hotel, where after a brief conversation “good night” was said, the lady retiring to her apartment, the gentleman at her request going to the office and directing that she should be called at seven o’clock the following morning, it being her inten- tion to take the forenoon train for New York. This was about fifteen minutes past eleven o'clock, and the gentleman then returned to the Parker House. Proceeding to her room she immediately undressed and prepared to retire, first, however, taking the pro- caution to lock and bolt her door and to deposit the $150 which she had received in the Albany depot in the bottom of her trunk and hiding the key. A MAN IN THE ROOM. About two o'clock in the morning, as nearly as she can fix the time, she way awakened by the presence of a man in her room, standing near the centre of the bed, at the side on which she reclined. He was of rather tall stature, but the light in the apart- ment was so dim she was unable to get o clear view of his features aud has but an indistinct idea of his general appearance. He stood facing her. Frightened at the presence of the intruder in her chamber she attempted to scream for help, but be- fore she could utter a sound he clutched her by the throat with one hand while with the other he held a pistol at her head, threatening to kill her if she re- sisted. As he caught hold of her he threw himscif on the bed, seating himself on her stomach—almost depriving the unfortunate lady of breath. As he mado this movement he released his grasp on her throat sufficient for her to gasp out :— “For God's sake spare my life.” Lowering his pistol for a moment, still clutching her neck with one hand he suddenly applied something wet and of a sickening odor to her face, and she lost conscious ness. THE DIscovEny. At seven o'clock in the morning the call boy pro- ceeded to the lady’s room to call her, when a strange sight met his gaze. The ocenpant of the room lay in the bed, which was in great disorder, with a napkin stained with blood, and which proved to have been saturated with chloroform, tied over her face. The trunk was open and the contents scattered about the floor, and everything bore wit- ness to the fact that some person had visited the apartment with criminal intent. A closer examina- tion revealed the circumstance that the door had been forced open ‘with a small jimmy, the staple catching the bolt having been torn from its fasten- ings, the ecrew still hanging to it with small splin- ters of wood attached. LADY'S CONDITION. But the lady's condition demanding immediate at- tention the porter gave bnt a hasty giance at these things and at once proceeded to remove the napkin, which was almost strangling her, from her face, and arrange the disordered bed clothing. Mrs. A by this time had partly recovered consciousness and directed the porter to summon female assistance and send for adoctor. This was done immediately and the housekeeper having been notified of the occurrence ‘was soon in the room, doing everything in her power to assuage the sufferings of the unhappy woman. When the proprietors of the hotel and the doctor reached the room the lady was partly restored to conscions- ness, ‘The doctor tried to find out what ho suspected, whether any violence had been committed on the person of the unfortunate lady, but both the house. keeper and the lady herself indignantly repelled any such suggestion, A DUAL CRIME. From the fact that for some time after her recovery she was ina state of nervous prostration, and com- plained of a soreness of the abdomen and limbs, the doctor was of tho opinion that a dual crime was com- mittted. The poor lady was terribly affected by tho joss of het money, and she burst into tears as sho related how she had endeavored to get itr and the purposes for which she had intended it, Tt was to have been devoted to paying off the interest on a mortgage on her house in New York, and now she “didn't know what she would do.’ She went to New York, accompanied by the house- keeper, where she was met by her husband and children, THE POLICE AT WORK. The police meanwhile had been notified of the case, and went diligently to work to get at the identity of the lady's assailant. Their first inquiries were di- rected toward the antecedents of her escort to the theatre the night previous to the assault, and although the gentleman referred to is of the highest respectability, he was perhaps saved some little apneyance by the fact that he could 878.—TRIPLE SHEET. analibi. On his return to the Parker House thag evening he met a gentleman with whom he is con- nected in business, and whom he had been expecting from Glenn’s Falls for some days. They decided to share a room together, and remained up till a late hour talking over bnsiness and other matters. Tho first knowledge he had of the case was when he visited the Tremont House the following morning to bid the lady goodby before her departure for New York. He was then informed of the circumstances by one of the proprietors and afterward by the lady herself, The next step taken by the police was {to find the “mysterious stranger,” as she is inclined to think that he is the culprit. What success has met their efforts in this direction is not known. The lady, who is about thirty-six years of age, refined in manner and attract. ive in appearance, has a husband and two sons in New York, the latter, mere lads, being employed in a wholesale honse in that city, The family are said to move in the best society and to be highly connected. REMARKABLE MURDER CASE. A STONE HURLED FROM AN EMBANKMENT UPON THE VICTIM—DETAIES OF THE CRIME AND ARREST OF THE MURDERER. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Fieminetox, N. J., Dec, 1878. A horrible murder has just been brought to light in this county, the particulars of which ure as fol- lows:—Joe Dull is a day laborer, living at Blooms- bury, in the upper part of the county, On Friday afternoon he was working on the road running along the embankment of the New Jersey Central Railroad, at that point about fort-five feet high. Melick States, a young man residing near Phillipsburg, has had a grudge against Dull for a long time, and, it is re- ported, has made threats against bis life. THE MURDER. During Friday afternoon States stole a ride from Phillipsburg to Bloomsbury and then walked slong the embankment until he was over the spot where Dull was working. He then picked up a stone about the size of a man’s head and hurled it down at Dull, whom it struck in the stomach, cansing most of his entrails to burst out. The affair was witnessed by several bystanders, ANTE-MORTEM STATEMENT. Dull lived until this morning and was conscious nntil his death. Yesterday he made an affidavit in which he said that he had never done States any harm, and that when the stone struck him he looked up, saw States and heard him say, “Now, damn you, Thave got you at last.” ARREST OF THE MURDERER. States was arrested and lodged in the County Jail at this place this afternoon. He denies all knowledge of the deed. The inquest will be held to-morrow. CURRITUCK SOUND CHANNEL. IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE AND THE RESULT- ANT ADVANTAGES TO NAVIGATION, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Norrorx, Va., Dec. 22, 1878. The United States Engineers Office in this city has awarded the contract for the excavation and im- provement of the channel through Currituck Sound to George H. Tunis, of Baltimore, who will commence operations next month and finish by the Ist of July. The channel to be improved extends from Trubee's Island, at the mouth of North Landing River, through Currituck Sound to the entrance of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, near Cedar Bay, in North Carolina, and, when completed, will be ten feet in depth, affording greatly improvea navigation to the numerofis vessels going by the inland route South. ‘ BEACON LIGHTS. Congress has provided for # system of beacon lights on this route, which are now in course of con- struction in Baltimore, and for building a steamer, which will be employed especially to attend these lights. It is the intention of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Company to deepen their canal, so that vessels drawing cight feet of water may pass at all times. When these improvements are made steamers may leave any of the rivers at the head of Albemarle Sound late in the afternoon and reach Nor- folk early the next morning. THE GERMAN-AMERICAN BANK, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS GIVEN BY THE CREDITORS’ COMMITTEE. Wasnineton, Dec. 22, 1878. Acommittee appointed by the creditors of the Ger- man-American Bank, of this city, which recently sus- pended, have made an investigation and report that the liabilities of the bank are $305,163 07, The assets, after throwing out what the receiver considers doubtful among the bills receivable and taking the real estate and personal prop- erty at the valuation of the receiver and three prominent business men, amount to $305,642 63 or $479 56 more than the liabilities. It ix, howevor, estimated that it will cost some $15,000 to close up the affairs of the bank, which would leave about five per cent of the total indebtedness to be met by the stockholders. ‘The capital stock is $130,000, and the receiver considers the holders of $100,000 of this re- sponsible men and good for the deficiency, AMUSEMENTS, BOOTH'S THRATRE—OPERATIC CONCERT. The fourth, and probably the last, concert during the present season given by the members of Maple- son's opera company took place last evening at Booth’s Theatre. It was fairly attended, and the programme was well calculated to afford pleasure to every one capable of enjoying nice musical culture. ‘The selections were as follows:—Duot for piano— “Menu and variations, "Beethoven, Miles. Jeanne and Louise Douste. Aria—“Madamina” (Don Giovanni), Mozart, M. Thierry. Aria—“Nobil Signor” (The Hugue- nots), Moyerbeer, Mme. Carmen Pisani. Aria—‘Dio Possente” (Faust), Gounod, Signor Pel Puente, Scena ed aria—"Softly Sighs” (Der Freischiitz), Weber, Mme. Parodi. Romanza—‘Salve Demoirh” (Faust), Gonnod, Signor Giuseppe Frapolli. Song—“Tho Bell Winger,” Wallace, Signor | Foli. Duet-- “Se m'ami ancor” (Trovatore), Verdi, Mmo. Pisani and Signor Frapolli. Piano’ solo—(a) Gavotte, Neustedt: (b) Gigue, Mozart; Mlle. Jeanne Donste. Mme. Sinico was announced to appear, but owing to causes which she could not control, was unable to be present. All of the artists were warmly encored. The juvenile piunistes, Jeanne and Louise De were anong the chief at tions of the eve . The New York public have rarely had an oppor: tnnity of enjoying better vocal music than w9s rendered last evening by the artists above named, GRAND OPERA HOUSE—THE GILMORE-DE MURSKA CONCERT. Another large audience assembled at the Grand Opera House last night, and it is only just to say that the programme was enjoyed trom beginning to end, The concert was one of the most enjoyable of the series, and it was a subject of general comment that Gilmore's band, Mme, de Murskd, Levy, Susini and the other artists have rarely appeared to better advantage, ‘Tho 1 features of the evening consisted of a by Rossini, and an aria frome “Don Bazilio,” the same author, both sung in splendid form by descriptive song, entitied “The Will o' th y Mr. ©. Makin, and two or three superb pieces . De Mursk It is scarcely necessary to many compl ments that have been justly paid to this artist, He selections last evening were the yocal waltz, “Vo rare,” by Mattei, and the from “Mignon,” and, being encored rendered in nl method ather’s Clock,” and a brilliant composit: by Arditi, Another foature of the evening was a cornet duet between Mr. P.8. Gilmore and Mr. J. Levy, “Quis ext Homo,” from “Stabat Mater." This was war planded performed for t time in America a Hungarian air with v for which he was warmly rewarded by the applause of tho audience. I phn Hill played an,ex- qitisite piano solo, “Paraphraeo de Faust,” by Liszt, and the entertainment concluded with ‘the grand march, “Columbia College,” by Gilmore's Band, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, Mise Emma Abbott, after a very successful tour in the West, is about to start for New Orleans. No American prima donna ina single season has achieved greater success than this young adopted daughter of New York. A popular concert will be given at Association Hall, West Brighton on Friday evening. Among’ tho artists are Misses Borie and Dickerson, Messrs, H. R. Humphries, A. E. Stoddard, W, F. Mills, pianist, and Arthur Bent, cornetist. ‘The Parkes-Hardenbergh “American Cousin” com. bination, under the management of Mr. Sol Rice, will appear at Providence on Christmas night with Mr. George Parkes as Lord Dundreary and Mr, Frank Hardenbergh as Asa Trenchard. ‘The Florences have been playing to large houses in St. Louis and other Western cities. They start for San Francisco this week, where they have a threo weeks’ engagement, and will then return to New York. Mr. Florence has 4 new play by Paul Merritt, which he will probably produce at an early day, --+~ ——~ PARIS IN WINTER. A Prophecy of a Slow Season Not . Likely To Be Fulfilled. See WHO HOLDS THE LUCKY NUMBER? “Sdam and Eve” Behind the Footlights a Moderate Musical Suceess. Pants, Dec. 9, 1878, We are assured (becanse, perhaps, M. Gambetta is going to Nice) that this is to be a very slow season, ‘The powers that rule are determined to remove sa dreaded an anticipation from the public mind, and so are the milliners. The linendrapers are likewise on the move, all selling off remnants of everything left behind by foreign visitors. Wonderfully cheap lots of gloves, of lace, of woollens, ribbons and flow ersattract economical Parisiennes to the Bon Marché, Louvre, Ville de Paris and the Paix, while second- rate establishments, finding emulation useless, are “seriously” selling off. In a few years a Paris linen- draper will be a man of the past and everything for- merly in his line of business will be purchased at four Paris bazaars--those Ihave above mentioned. What is to become of the specialist—that is, of the retail maker and dealer—is a problem for economists. The present view of the case can be likened toa swarm of young fry being swallowed up by sea mon- sters, This tendency greatly alters even now the mode of transacting business with Parisian trades- men. THE SEVEN SEVENS. But the great excitement of all is the lottery ques. tion, which has originated in the National Exhibition Lottery. Will government sanction public lotteries as they are authorized in Italy? Are publio lotteries immoral? Is investing in a pub- lic lottery the same thing as gambling? Tho Saxon mind inclines to repudiate the lottery movement, and to call ‘illicit’ gains not earned; but this is the “al and social view of the case, not the view entertained in trade, where no ¢picier considers it illicit to sell chalk in ground sugar, ground acorna in coffee, pounded bricks in chocolate, and dried, pul- verized bones in meal. To roll coffee beans in soot and call it superfine Mocha is only a little business finesse, to be sure. Our lawgivers will look up the code and decide. Meanwhile it is inquired, Whero is the owner of 777,777 in the seventh series of the National Lottery, to be drawn in January? Who is he? He is the envied man, Every one wants that particular number containing in all seven sevens. He could command any sum just now he is advertised for. There has been a little fuss about fixing the date for the ceremony of drawing the numbers, and it is not quite decided yet. Many declare it will injure the sale of étrennes if the event take place before the Ist of January; while others, who love a joke, say that if it occur between Christmas and Thanksgiving Day ‘it will be a great help to people who have to offer presents to their mothers-in Who but one’s wife’s mother could be asked to accept some of the nondescript objecta sent in, such as pills, pots of paste, mouse traps and false teeth? FLATTERY FOR MATRONS. There is fortunately # slight reaction in favor of elderly ladie this is discernible in the fashions. Golden weddings, even silver ones, are made a great deal of; all the quilting, fur-lining, hood-wearing, hair-powdering and et fenton is indirect flattery for matrons. A French writer has carried this re- vival so far that he calls perce-neiges the rounded forms of a woman of fifty, who until this late snowy period of her life was as thin as a shadow and never sat for her bust, ignoring that she had one. The oldest lady in high life is the Dowager Duchess of Albuféra, widow of Marshal Suchet, to whom she was married in 1808, She is still charming. It has been discovered that the most delightful chmen are all sixty; that these alone know how to show chivalrio attention to ladies. This being admitted, it is a com- poe to add that out of # million 207 men live to be a undred. A PRCULTAR CHARITY. hysician in Paris, who is also a philanthropist, has consecrating some capital toa humanitarian purpose. May blessings attend him! Struck with the inability of the poor in cases of illness and with their abrence of comfort at home merely in cases of neglect, he has opened an establishment in which the asthmatic, the man or woman afflicted with ague, the shivering and those who attend hospital consulta- tions gratis find the hot herb teas prescrivens for them, as well as the mineral and other draughts ordered for their diseases. Here on pewter counters are teapots sending forth the aromatic steam of camomile, violet, lime and orange blossoms. ‘The ailing are privileged, to bring their own sugar or Se for it over and above the charge of one sou asked for acup of these mild and wholesome decoctions. How many sufferers have until now carried their churchyard coughs to the marchand de vin and swallowed any flery liquor for transient heat? The herb teas are the chief feature of the establishment, but there are syrups for mixtures in hot tisanes, and it would be difficult to mention a fruit of which the juice is no® prepared for this purpose. There are ligatures like= wise for slight accidents, salves aud lozenges. = MOURNING ETIQUETTE. Sudden deaths and burials have been lentifully recorded-this month. At rec nies it has been observed that etiqu ed in the matter of mourning cards, They are at present sent out in the name of male survivors only; widows, mothers, sisters resign unto their nearest relative the g too fuueral the friends of the tainly a more refined custom so far as form goes, but unto’ many women it appears a duty to go through all the ordeal of intense anguish with indefatigable serenity until everything that has to be doue and endured is over. A man of the world who was lately commenting the pros and cons of the case foresaw that in the higher circles the new fashion will prevail, but he does _ not think the ordinary’ dealer in any kind of goods will forego so splendid ‘an ope portunity for a puff as that of a death in his family. It was too bad of him to say so, but he maintained that a stockingmaker of the Rue St. Mar- tin sent outa mourning invitation, stating that he “X. —, of the Rue St. Martin, but formerly of the parish of St. Nicholas, and inventor of the famous jouble spun knee, toe and heel, had the misfortune to lose his wife, daughter of the late ——, the only discoverer of a method for using the same leeches seven times over, and of preserving them after cases of the worst kind as fresh as new. begged to see his wife's friends at her funeral, and at the same time to say she had intrusted him with her tather’s secret a few hours only betore she expired.” FRENCH HUMOR. St. Barbe, who hax been dead centuries ago, wag honored by the artillery ee. She is consid- ered as the patroness of ail riflemen. During the re joicings at the school a young student asked s friend why St. Barbe had been selected for their special branch in the profession. “Because,” replied the other, “she was cannonized, you know.” ‘Another Parisian bon mot is the outgrowets of a juve nile mind. A little girl of seven hy with the almanac for next year, She seemed greatly time, but after an hour or ned it aside as if tired of looking at it. asked Mamma, “have you fallen ouf efound out all the new moons, their quarters, and the harvest moon, but there is no boney-moon!"" Mamma’s features were a tablean on hearing this. ‘The question is whether the writer can prove slow in a country claiming such a quick minded genera- tion. ADAM AND EVE WITH VIOLIN ACCOMPANIMENT. Music will not fai. We have already had our first symphonic ode, a novelty in France. It has shared the honor of a prize divided between its composer and the composer of a piece, “Tasso,” to be per- formed on the 18th inst. The words of the sym- phonic ode are by Edward Blair and the musio by Theodore Dubois. The subject is Milton's “Paradise Lost.” M. Lauwers, whose specialty is the devil, sings the “Song of Satan’’ in the second rt. The chorus of the cursed was not damned. The conductor is M. Colonne. The duet between Adam and Eve is rather confused. M. Dubois is of the new school and when not melodious is eulogized for masterly orchestration, but personally Adam and Eve tailed to inspire the veneration due to our oldes@ relatives. HAMLET IN ROYAL HANDS, Iu the literary world we e the translation o, “Hamlet” by Dom Luis (the King of Portugal). Ha has “Othello” in hand and the royal linguist expects to get over even this black. Itis pretty certain the famed writer, statesman, thinker and speaker, M. Audifret-Pasquier, will be fominated academician and successor to the Ardley bishop of Orleans, JERRY MAULEY'S PAINTING Hundreds of persons crowded McAntey’s Mission Chapel yesterday to look at a magnificent painting of “The Saviour” which adorned the wall, The picture was painted by Carl Hecker for Mrs, Whitemore, one of MeAules’s conyerts, and took fourteen months’ incessant labor. Mrs. Whitemore allowed it to te main for a short time on exhibition in an art in Fifth avenue, and yesterday presented it the mission, The picture is worth for which sum itis insured, and forms & contrast to ita\ dingy surroundings,